- Five people were killed and 18 injured in a shooting at an LGBTQ Club in Colorado, police say.
- Police said the shooing suspect is in custody and is being treated.
Police have reported five people killed and another 18 injured in a shooting at an LGBTQ club in Colorado, according to multiple reports.
In an early morning press conference, Colorado Springs Police Department's spokesperson Lt. Pamela Castro said on Sunday a person police believe is the shooting suspect, who was injured, was found and is being treated in custody. Police later identified the suspect as 22-year-old Anderson Lee Aldrich, at another press conference Sunday morning.
Chief Adrian Vasquez confirmed that "the suspect used a long rifle during the shooting" and that at least two firearms were found at the scene.
Castro said "officers immediately made entry" into Club Q after receiving calls at around 11:57 pm local time. "They did locate one individual who we believe to be the suspect inside."
Castro said that the first officer arrived at the club three minutes after being dispatched and apprehended the suspect two minutes later.
"The suspect is being treated at a local hospital," Castro said, confirming they were also injured and are in police custody.
The number of casualties "is subject to change as the investigation continues," Castro said.
The club posted a statement to its Facebook page: "Club Q is devastated by the senseless attack on our community. Our prayers and thoughts are with all the victims and their families and friends."
Castro said local hospitals are helping family and friends find those who were injured at the club.
—Patrick Nelson (@PatrickNelsonTV) November 20, 2022
In its statement, the club said that attendees helped tackle the shooter.
"We thank the quick reactions of heroic customers that subdued the gunman and ended this hate attack."
"Initial evidence and interviews indicate the suspect entered Club Q and immediately began shooting at people inside, as he moved further into the club," Vasquez said. "While the suspect was inside of the club, at least two heroic people inside the club confronted and fought with the suspect and were able to stop the suspect from continuing to kill and harm others."
"We owe them a great debt of thanks," the police chief added.
A motive for the attack has not been yet identified. Vasquez said that the police are looking into investigating the shooting as a hate crime but it is not being investigated as a hate crime yet. The FBI is involved in the investigation, authorities have said.
The club had announced a drag brunch scheduled for 11 a.m. Sunday in honor of Transgender Day of Remembrance, according to its Facebook page.
Kayla Cortes, who used to be a regular at Club Q until she moved away, told Insider she was "completely devastated" by the shooting, adding that the atmosphere was "nothing but fun."
"Everyone was able to be themselves even if you didn't know how to dance or feel comfortable in your skin they went out of their way to get you to have fun," Cortes said. "I've made many lifelong friends thanks to Club Q."
Cortes added that she and her wife plan to place flowers at the club, but she's unsure whether she could return for a night out again.
"I'm not sure if I would be able to. I would feel the sadness of what took place," Cortes said. "I wouldn't know how to look past the event."